The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire is pleased to announce an open competition for organizations to submit a project proposal for its Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program. The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) Program started in 1964 in Togo and quickly spread across the continent as a grass-roots assistance program that allows U.S. embassies to respond to local requests for small community-based development projects. Since the program began in Côte d’Ivoire in 1982, Embassy Abidjan has provided about $3,000,000 of assistance to a diverse range of rural and urban communities in Côte d’Ivoire.
The SSH Program awards grants to registered non-governmental, non-profit, community-based organizations to implement short-term, small-scale development projects that include community involvement and have a quick-impact on a large number of people. Priority consideration is given to income generating projects that improve basic economic or social conditions at the village level and benefit many people.
There are three basic eligibility requirements:
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The applicant must be a Côte d’Ivoire registered non-governmental, non-profit, or community-based organization. (Registered non-governmental organizations, trusts, associations, cooperatives, women’s groups, schools, churches, etc. meet this eligibility requirement. )
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All applications must include and identify a significant community contribution (cash, labor, and/or materials).
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Applicants must display sound management capabilities in the form of financial and administrative procedures that protect against fraud, waste, and abuse.
For-profit or commercial entities and individuals are NOT eligible for SSH funding.
The SSH Program receives hundreds of applications for funding each year. All submissions are reviewed in a competitive and transparent manner. However, given the limited funding available through the SSH Program, we can only fund a small number of projects each year.
Embassy Abidjan will begin accepting applications on December 15, 2022. Applications are accepted throughout the year. However, to be considered for the next round of funding, to be awarded in October 2023, please submit proposals by COB March 15, 2023.
Follow the Application Template to ensure all details are included and read the full Notice of Funding Opportunity carefully for additional details regarding the evaluation criteria and program requirements. Email applications to SSHAbidjan@state.gov.
SSH Application Template
SSH Notice of Funding Opportunity
If you have questions, please contact us:
Tel: (225) 27 22 49 46 75; Ext: 4675
E-mail: SSHAbidjan@state.gov